Drug charges added against Falls man held on domestic assault counts

LOCKPORT – William L. Putman III, already facing an indictment accusing him of assaulting a woman while wearing metal knuckles, was arraigned on a separate drug indictment Monday in Niagara County Court.

Putman, 27, of Livingston Avenue, pleaded not guilty to third-, fourth- and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlicensed driving and drinking in a vehicle. The crimes allegedly occurred Aug. 23 and Sept. 20 in Niagara Falls.

Prosecutors also filed a revised version of the domestic violence indictment they unsealed in February, deleting one of the charges of first-degree criminal contempt. Putman still faces another first-degree criminal contempt charges, as well as second-degree assault, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and aggravated criminal contempt in connect with the alleged Dec. 3 attack.

County Judge Sara Sheldon Farkas set a total bail of $60,000 for Putman, who until Monday had been held without bail since Feb. 8.